Rabbi Eliezer Melamed
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, שליט”א, was born in the Jewish year 5721 (1961) to his father Rabbi Zalman, and to his mother Shulamit. His father Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed, שליט”א, was one of the closest students of Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook זצ”ל. Rabbi Melamed learned in Yashlatz (Yeshiva Katana of Merkaz HaRav) and in the Yeshiva Merkaz HaRav.
A special bond was formed between Rabbi Eliezer Melamed and Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook zt”l, Rosh Yeshiva of Merkaz HaRav, from Rabbi Eliezer’s early childhood. Rabbi Eliezer attended Rabbi Kook’s classes for five years, from the age of fifteen until he was twenty, and like his own father, considers Rabbi Kook to be his most significant teacher and mentor. This unique connection was further emphasized by a dream Rabbi Kook had upon Rabbi Eliezer’s birth, which led to Rabbi Melamed receiving his first name.
Rabbi Melamed began his teaching career by instructing Talmud and Halakha for half a year at Rabbi Deutsch’s Kollel in Mea Shearim, which was headed by Rabbi Yitzchak Ginsburg. During this period, he had the merit of studying as a Chavruta (study partner) with Rabbi Ginsburg and attending many of his classes.
Subsequently, Rabbi Melamed dedicated approximately twenty years to teaching Talmud and Emunah at the Beit El Yeshiva, and four years at the Kedumim Yeshiva.
In addition to his teaching, he took on significant editorial projects, including a new edition of the book Shnei Luchot HaBrit (the Shelah) and the first two volumes of a new edition of the works of Rabbi Tzadok HaKohen of Lublin, assisting in the completion of the entire series.
In the Jewish month of Menachem Av 5748 (August, 1988), Rabbi Melamed was elected as the Rabbi of the community Har Bracha.
In the month of Elul 5752 (September, 1992) Rabbi Melamed established the Yeshiva in Har Bracha, which he remains the head of until today. In the Yeshiva, Rabbi Melamed teaches a daily class in halakha, gives classes in emunah and Jewish thought, and provides guidance in public and private matters.
Vision
In his vision, Rabbi Melamed seeks to establish halakha amongst the Jewish nation as a bridge between the morals of God and daily life, as a way of ‘tikun olam’ in the kingdom of God. With this objective in mind, Rabbi Melamed works to familiarize the religious community, in all its diversity, with the halakha, and to make it pleasurable for those who study it. This is accomplished through his short halakha broadcasts on Arutz 7 and his writing of the series “Peninei Halakha”, which clearly and comprehensively covers various subjects in halakha, interwoven with thoughts of emunah, in a language suitable for all.
The various undertakings of Rabbi Melamed, especially his tenure as the Rabbi of the community and the Dean of the Yeshiva, create a unique unification between the beit midrash and daily life. This combination allows the development and improvement of the path of Torah and avodah, and places Har Bracha as an example of a Torah-based, idealistic community which is precise in its Torah study and fulfillment of mitzvot, together with leading involvement in the national, social, economic, security and educational fields.
The inspiration generated between the community of Har Bracha and the Yeshiva creates a unique synergy between commitment to Torah and Mitzvot and engagement in practical, daily life. The Yeshiva serves as a focal point for deepening the vision, developing ideas, and setting the path, while developing Torah scholars who actively engage with modern challenges. The community, the graduates, and the wider circle of disciples of Rabbi Melamed implement these ideals on a practical basis through continuous dialogue and a vibrant connection with Rabbi Melamed and the Beit Midrash.
Public Activities
Although the majority of Rabbi Melamed’s time is dedicated to teaching and writing, he is active in the public arena as well. Amongst his many activities can be listed:
The establishment of the youth organization “Ariel” and its first chapter in Kiryat Moshe, Jerusalem.
The establishment of the Rabbinical Council of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Rabbi Melamed was the first secretary of the Council. He published 35 editions of the Council’s newsletters, which focused on the clarification of crucial public and national issues.
Rabbi Melamed was a founding partner in the establishment of the radio station Arutz 7. His daily Halakha broadcast achieved high listener ratings and brought the teachings of the Torah to thousands of homes across Israel, reaching a broad and diverse audience. Crucially, these broadcasts served as the cornerstone for the initial volumes in his influential series, Peninei Halakha.
Rabbi Melamed took part in the establishment of the newspaper Basheva. From the beginning Rabbi Melamed has served as the newspapers’ spiritual driving force, and he writes a weekly column, “Revivim”, which has merited wide exposure and impact. The articles have been compiled into two books: the first deals with issues concerning marriage, society, family, and careers, while the second deals with the nation, land, and the army. Presently, the Yeshiva Har Bracha Institute of Publications is working on publishing the next volume of articles dealing with the lives and activities of great Rabbis.